Deliciously Puzzling

Waffle's Guide To Being Sub-15 with Roux

Okay, so you want to use Roux and you're not sure to start because it's so intimidating since it's nothing like you've tried before and as of right now you're shaking in your pants since you really, really think that CFOP is going to beat Roux anyways and you're considering not learning Roux since you'll be forever slow. If not, then this guide is for you :D

Well, Roux is fast...that's given my friend. Sub-10 is possible....but let's take this one step at a time.

So, I made this guide since apparently some people can't be fast with Roux without having someone hold their hand for them. I mean, that's just gross. I don't want to hold your hand....unless you're a pretty girl whom I have a chance with. Then, only then, will I not only hold your hand, I would most likely go out with you. But for you guys....well this guide will provide the immaculate "holding Waffle's Hand" feeling without actually touching me....

For the sake of ease and access, I have divided the Guide into 3 unique (aka Badass) sections depending on your times. This way you can easily find your time range and see how can approach the cube. Even the sections are divided into sections and those are divided into more sections.

Generic Cuber - But WAFFLE! It sounds like it will get annoyingWaffle - No worries GC, It's not I swear.

I stress a lot of block building over LSE. Even though LSE is something that most people aren't used to, blocks are far more important since it takes up so much of the solving time. But I'm not saying that you shouldn't practice LSE, just practice blocks a little bit more than LSE.

You're a noob. And That's okay! (40-1:00+)

Complete Noob - 1:00+

Overall Tips - You should be less concerned about getting faster and be more concerned with getting to know your cube and the Roux method.

Step 1 - First Block Don't be afraid to use the entire cube when doing this step. You don't have to keep certain pieces on the fixed position so go ahead and use slices! Here you want to use the least amount of moves to make the first 1x2x3 block. We use Slice Turn Metric or STM to count our moves so slices count as 1 move not 2. As a beginner aim for a higher number of moves like 15 as a start. Take as much time as needed to find a solution to the first 1x2x3 block with the least amount of moves.

Step 2 - Second Block Okay! Now that you finished the first block, you have this restriction. Just do the same as Step 1...just don't break the first block. If you have to break the first block to work on the second, it's okay for now, just try find ways the NOT break the first block.

Step 3 - Corners Believe it or not, you can get away using only 2 algorithms in this step. You can be sub-15 using only 2 algorithms for this step. But it's best that you do what's called 2 look corners, where you orient and permute the corners separately. You can find these algorithms on this site :D

Step 4 - Last Step Edges This is a repetitive process. All you have to do is look for misoriented edges and orient them by cycling around. And then solve the UL/UR pieces and finish the cube. For most, this step is difficult and will slow them down. But once you get the hang of this step, you'll be fast and fluid with your movements.

Complete Solve Tips Block building is something that needs to worked on the most in Roux method. I suggest NOT timing the entire solve but rather time each individual step. Once you get a break down of 20-20-10-20 then you should time yourself and see what you need to improve on from there.

Average Noob - 45-50

Overall Tips - Increase your turn speed just a little bit at a time. Too fast and you'll spend more time looking at the cube and less time actually solving.

Step 1 - First Block Okay you average Noob, listen up. Here you will want to speed up just a little. And by little, I mean you're going faster but not fast that you lose sight of your pieces. You should be able to use less than 15 STM when doing this step. Use all the time you need to plan out your first block solution and then execute them just a tad faster.

Step 2 - Second Block Here, you will still try not to break the first block. Use wide (i.e. Rw or Rw') turns to help you find second block solutions that won't break the first block. Use as much time as needed to plan the solution and execute them just a little bit faster.

Step 3 - Corners Learn 2 look Corners completely. By completely I mean not have a cheat sheet in front of you and still be able to recognize the case. And for now sub-10 seems like a good time to aim for corners as a noob. Practice recognition rather than speed for this step.

Step 4 - Last Step Edges Be more productive with M' trigger. You pull from DB forward. Better finger tricks, better times. Still work on recognition as well so you can identify bad edges rather quickly.

Complete Solve Tips Well again blocks take up the most time in solves so work on those. Aim for 10-15-10-15.

Better Noob - 40

Overall Tips - Increase you Turn speed even more! But still work on recognition.

Step 1 - First Block Alright, since first blocks is becoming more like a habit rather than a chore, aim for an even lower first block move count. 13 seems like a good number for a better noob like you. Again, take the time to plan out your solution and execute. Increase your turn speed just a little bit every time.

Step 2 - Second Block Breaking the first block will no longer me acceptable at this time barrier. I know it might seem longer that you can't break the first block but you can still find solutions less than 16 STM. Again, take the time to plan out your solution and execute. Increase your turn speed just a little bit every time.

Step 3 - Corners Just keep drilling yourself with 2 look corners. Do this while drilling on blocks. For example solve up to CMLL and just scramble again.

Step 4 - Last Step Edges Work on recognition still. You want to be able do know what do next after the each sub-step. At this barrier, I'd like you to slow down with this step and practice like you will with the blocks by taking the time to plan the solution. You'd like to be able to smoothly go through the steps

Complete Solve Tips Lower move count is better. As a better noob aim for 13 STM for the blocks. LSE will come to bite your ass later if you don't practice being smooth. Times to aim for at this step will be 8-10-8-14

Intermediate - Hey you're cool being sorta good (Sub-40-30)

"Look I can do this too!" - sub-40

Overall Tips -By this barrier you should able see the blocks easily with less moves. Now you work on turn speed. By now I'll assume that you know how to drill yourself with blocks and corners. And that you have to drill yourself no matter which barrier you're in.

Step 1 - First BlockLet's aim for an even lower move count number. Let's aim for 12. Please note that this is only 1 less move than before. This is meant to play some mind-tricks. This only gradually goes down so you can manage a low move count. And even better, you get work on getting faster. (YAY) Increase your turn speed even more!

Step 2 - Second BlockOkay,I'd like to see NO cube rotations from now on. Find solutions where you don't have to rotate insert pieces. Cheap tricks like no re-grips make Roux a really really fast method.

Step 4 - Last Step EdgesI'd like you to practice ONLY edge orientation(EO)for a while. Try getting sub-3 on EO alone. Everything else for this step can wait a while longer.

Complete Solve TipsContinue to drill your self with blocks and corners with the new move count. For the EO, sub-3 practice EO like you would with blocks. 8-10-7-14

"I'm getting soooooo much better" - 35

Overall Tips -Use less moves and faster turning. You should be able to see the EO case instantly - even predict them. I highly encourage you to predict the case so you don't waste time. Since corners are just mindless algs you can look to the next step easily.

Step 1 - First BlockLet's go down another move to a 11 move limit. But this time, I'd like you to practice 2 ways.1) The usually take as much as possible to find the best solution.2) use only 20-30 seconds to find a solution and then do them quicklyThese 2 methods will make you look for really nice block solutions and train you to look for them quickly and how to adapt to how you turn to make blocks.

Step 2 - Second BlockDo the same as Step 1 but without the move count limit. Limit your moves to <R,Rw, U, M>.

Step 3 - CornersKeep on 2 look corners. Aim for sub-4. You should be able to sub-2 orientation and sub-2 permutation.

Step 4 - Last Step EdgesThis time I'd like to see more practice on UL/UR Permutation. You should be able to the piece right after the EO and can make a smooth transition between sub-steps. To achieve this, make a mental note during EO which are the UL and UR pieces and predict where they'll end up after EO is done.

Complete Solve TipsWhen doing solves, try to go smooth without having to do long pauses. Aim for 8-10-4-13

"Almost there" - 30

Overall Tips -Try some solves where you as smooth as possible with no pauses no matter how slow you get. This will help you in look ahead.

Step 1 - First BlockWe'll stick to the current 11 move count limit. But practice like before1) The usually take as much as possible to find the best solution.2) use only 10-20 seconds to find a solution and then do them quickly

BUT THIS TIME!

3) Aim for a time. 7 seconds sounds okay right now.

No choice now but to turn like crazy and optimize you moves and move count at the same time.

Step 2 - Second BlockDo the same as Step 1. I trust that you're making the fewest moves you can as fast as you can. So just do the same as step one. But without the move limit because second block is a pain in the ass

Step 3 - CornersI'd like you to find a nice CMLL set and store them away for a while. A little research never hurt =)This will let you take in the fact that you'll have to learn 42 algs to technically know "full" Roux.Practice 2 look corners!

Step 4 - Last Step EdgesPractice going slowly, but smoothly with all of step-4 to improve look ahead. Smoother and slower is usually better than choppy speed turning. You also have a nice fluid style and if you achieve that fluidity, it's easy to make that fast

Complete Solve TipsSlow down a little bit in step 4 to get better in look ahead and smoothness.Aim for 8-8-4-10

The Awkward stage between Intermediate and Expert-ish (Sub-30-21)

Frequent Barrier Breaker - Sub-30

Overall Tips -There's a reason why this step is extremely awkward for most Roux users. Most can decide whether or not to learn CMLL since by this point, you're really making the decision whether or not you want Roux to be your main method. I highly encourage for you to keep going, not because I'm a Roux user, but for you to just benefit more with a different outlook at the cube. CMLL is just an alg set. You can easily learn more and more algs.

Step 1 - First BlockSmoothness counts. But now even speed counts. Really you want to generally average 9-12 moves for the first block so if you're doing that. You're in good shape.

Step 2 - Second BlockBy getting a fast first block, you can usually get away with making more moves, but more finger trick friendly, second block. Speed and recognizing easy cases will make second block second nature.

Step 3 - CornersActually start looking and practicing CMLL algs. One orientation a day is easy and highly realistic. You learn 6 algs a day. But that's just me, you can learn CMLL at your own pace for a more relaxed learning environment. I can't force you to learn algs after all.

Step 4 - Last Step EdgesM-slices are key in Roux but even more-so at these stages. Most people that want to keep up Roux will really want to stress on M-slice speed and to achieve that speed you need to recognize LSE twice as fast. But you want to be smooth fast, not choppy fast.

Complete Solve TipsAim for 6-8-4-10The reason LSE is so slow is because I keep stressing on smoothness over speed. CMLL will take some time to get used to and remember to take them slowly. You'll easily lose them when you force yourself to learn them all. Blocks, well, smooth and fast.

Middle of the Line - 25

Overall Tips -Remember to take frequent breaks. This is the stage where I stuck on for 2 years. If you don't take a small break you'll easily stress too much about Roux, making you just frustrated and your urge to become faster will be impaired.

Step 1 - First BlockSo take the the 9-12 moves from the stage before this. Take the smoothness of how you do it and blend in some speed turning. Smooth fast is often the best approach for blocks since you don't have choppy fast moves always available.

Step 2 - Second BlockSecond block really is chore and you need to be aware of that. The best way to get it over with is predicting how to do it while you the first block by tracking the next pieces that you'll need from the first block.

Step 3 - CornersI can't rush you to learn these but they're just algs. Learn them and try to be sub-3 with them. which is easily done.

Step 4 - Last Step EdgesTake that smooth fast thing I was talking about and multiply the intensity. Fluidity over choppiness and you'll learn to look ahead better while still turning incredibly fast.

Complete Solve TipsIf you hadn't noticed, you've probably been so concerned about speed and not your move count which is bad. Remember move count is the best weapon in Roux. Learn the CMLL, it's just algs. Aim for 5-8-3-8

Getting The Big Guns Ready - 21

Overall Tips -The grey spot of being around 20 is always hard. The frustration sometimes is just annoying. Commit to Roux seriously and get to work. At this point, you've come a long way and you might as well finish it.

Step 1 - First BlockAgain 9-12 moves is the best you can do in a Roux speedsolve. Nothing you can do but make it faster.

Step 2 - Second BlockAfter this step usually predicting the CMLL case is great. Even if you can only predict orientation, that'll help you bring it down to 4-6 cases just from knowing the orientation

Step 3 - CornersSub-2 is the best for the average fast Roux user. Algs are algs. Just learn them and practice them. Commit them to muscle memory.

Step 4 - Last Step EdgesIf you feel that you're still a little choppy on this step, remember to work on transitions.Start off fast and slow down nearing the end of the sub-step to predict the next sub-step

Complete Solve TipsBe happy about occasional sub-20s. Keep saying to yourself, I did it already, I can do it again. Keep your morale up and get over this grey area. Aim for 5-7-2-7

The Last Leg of the Race! - sub-20 and beyond.

Welcome To The Sub-20 Club - 20

Overall Tips -Like the beginner, work on blocks and LSE

Step 1 - First BlockMove count limit of 9-12 and time limit of 5 seconds. Easy enough, right? I mean you should know where you turn slowly. Obviously increase turn speed. But work on smooth turning and transition to the next step.

Step 2 - Second BlockGo low with the move count but a time limit 6. Anticipate what to do in this step while finishing the first block before doing this step.

Step 3 - CornersNot very not a lot of tips. Just practice this. I can sub-1.3 all my Corner Cases

Complete Solve TipsThe only thing stopping you now are pauses and limit in look ahead. Work on this. You should know what you are capable of and from here you don't really need me to hold your hand. Work on what you think needs work.

Trigger Happy Cuber - 18

Smoothness and speed count. By now you should have adapted your own style of Roux. And you shouldn't really need any more tips about solving. You know where you're weak at, so go help yourself and practice those steps. Some overall tips though is to be able to turn smoothly and fast. LSE is something that sets you apart from any other cuber even within Roux since we all have different techniques, turn style, and shortcuts. Also make sure you always think of yourself as a nub at the method. Because no matter how good at Roux you get, there's always room for improvement.

The Exclusive Sub-15

Generic Cuber - Hey WaffleWaffo - Sup GC

GC - Are you sure that this is all I need to be sub-15?Waffo - Well, I said I'll hold your hand through most of it. Usually when you get sub-18 you know what's holding you back.

GC - So what's next Waffle?Waffo - Keep on using Roux, I guess. I mean you made the commitment to get this far right?

GC - YesWaffo - Then you're good. No need to switch when you're this fast

GC - But I'm no where close to where you are.Waffo - Well. You know you're slow at aspects of Roux so why not just attack them with your style.

GC - My style sucks compare to yours.Waffo - I'm gonna be honest and tell you that this what I went through. Every one of these barriers is something I went through and I shared how I broke through them. So essentially you're following a guide that I followed.

GC - Wow. So you figured out what you needed to work on huh?Waffo - GC....it's called practice. I just broke down how I practice.